Press Releases

Molinaro: Access to Quality Healthcare Should Not Be a Luxury Reserved for Urban Areas. Rural Communities Matter.

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) today announced he introduced the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act. Rep. Molinaro introduced this bipartisan bill alongside U.S. Reps. Chis Pappas (D-NH-1), Lisa McClain (R-MI-09), Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Alex Mooney (R-WV-02), and Zach Nunn (R-IA-03). Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

The Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act will expand access to health care and save patients time and money by making permanent Medicare coverage of telehealth services allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes would include allowing patients to be treated at home, allowing rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to provide telehealth services, and expanding coverage of audio-only services for certain conditions.

Rep. Molinaro said, "Access to quality healthcare should not be a luxury reserved for urban areas. Rural communities matter and deserve the same level of care and convenience. That’s why I introduced the Protecting Rural Telehealth Act. This bipartisan legislation makes permanent telehealth flexibilities that were originally implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, we will ensure Upstate New Yorkers have access to the care they need, regardless of their zip code.”

Rep. Pappas said, “Granite Staters, including those who live in rural areas, have benefitted in numerous ways from the expansion of telehealth. Being able to access care virtually has ensured more people can receive the right care at the right time while saving them both time and money by eliminating transportation costs. Making coverage of telehealth services permanent is a practical proposal that benefits patients and providers alike. I want to thank Representatives McClain, LaTurner, Molinaro, Mooney, and Nunn for partnering with me on this legislation, and I look forward to advancing it through the House.”